Electric signature writer



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. eww Watson ATTORNEY.

1937. G. w. WATSON ELECTRIC SIGNATURE WRITER Filed April 13, 1937 G. w. WATSON 2,091,060

ELECTRIC SIGNATURE WRITER Aug. 24, 1937.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1937 ATTORNEY.

937. G. w. WATSON ELECTRIC SIGNATURE WRITER Filed April 13, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 0 INVENTOR.

GlennW Watson W 2 I ATTORNEY.

L".| E $0 & a

Patented 24, "1937 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca 2,001,000 I zffl ifiiififit f App catio;16A;:llim1:, 12:, 2:13:11. 136,703

The present invention pertains to an electric signature writer and consists of improvements on the device shown in my copending application, Serial No. 98,373, filed August 28, 1936. The expression electric signature writer" denotes a machine for writing subject matter other than signatures, this title being preferred for the reason that the most common use of the machine is the writing of signatures.

As in the device disclosed in the aforementioned application, the improved machine also separates the original writing into component lines on a pair of travelling, intersecting strips. The separation is made at points remote from the intersection, rather than at the intersection itself, by a pair of scribing instruments actuated from the pen through a mechanism that moves them along linear paths transverse of the directions in which the strips travel. On completion of the original writing, the strips are out along the component lines to form matrices and are then adapted to serve in the reproducing operation. For this operation, the scribing instruments are interchangeable with followers or rollers adapted to engage the component lines. The

the pressure variations that occur between the writing instrument and the sheet during the original inscription. For this purpose, the writing platform is resiliently mounted and is responsive to the variations in pen pressure thereon. These variations are transmitted through an electrical system to another pen that scribes a varying pressure line on one of the strips. The strip is out along this line, and in the process of reproduction, is engaged by a follower, the movements ofwhich operate another electrical system to vary the pen pressure accordingly.

The invention also provides a means for automatically lifting the pen from the paper, during transcription, between separated letters or Words and for the crossing of t's and the dotting of 1's, corresponding to similar movements during inscription. These movements during inscription pressure line. The follower on this line is so mounted as to engage a switch when riding on a part denotingzero pressure.- Operation of the switch energizes an electrical system that lifts the pen from the paper.

Further, the invention provides for counting the number of times a given pair of strips has passed through the device. 'For this purpose, there is provided an electrically operated counting mechanism with a control or operating means therefor on one of the strips. Such means may consist of a contact, mounted on a sealed gear, adapted to close the circuit of the counting mechanism, but preferably is in the form of a notch cut in one of these strips and eng'ageabie by a fol-' lower which, when entering the notch, operates the counting mechanism. The latter-is made tamper-proof by a lock or seal so that the total thereon cannot be altered without authorization.

The several control features of the device, namely, for pressure regulation, pen raising and for the counting mechanism, may be incorporated in an additional strip, if desired. However, the device is considerably simplified by providing these controls on available parts of .the matrix strips. Also, the original writing may be separated into more than two component lines on a corresponding number of strips, if desired, as in the aforementioned co-pending application.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example by the following description and the acure 1; 4

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mechanism for operating the accounting device;

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the pen apparatus with a wiring diagram of the control apparatus;

Figure 11 is a similar perspective view of a modification wherein the paper is moved and the pen held stationary.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters that are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The framework of the machine comprises a suitable bed or table I (Figure 5) standing on legs 2 (Figure 3). At the edges of the table are mounted suitable bearingbrackets 3 for supporting shafts 4 on which are mounted rollers designated respectively by the numerals 5, 6, 1, and 6. Opposite rollers are alined one with the other, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 so that a .strip 9 may be laid across the pair, 5, I, and another strip it across the pair 6, 6, the intermediate, parts of the strips being superimposed one on the other and the lower onerestlng on the table I, as clearly illustrated in Figure 5. The nature and the purpose of these strips is described below.

Each roller 1 and 3 has a circumferential series of cogs ll adapted to engage a linear series of perforations 12 in the corresponding strips, for

positive feeding of the strips. I

One of the shafts, designated specifically by the numeral 4" in Figures 1 and 2, is driven by an electric motor 13. The same shaft is geared at H to the adjacent shaft (of the other pair).

The remaining shafts are driven by the strips 9 and ill.

One of the shafts is adapted for independent rotary adjustment to correct misaiinements of the cogs II and perforations I2. The adjusting device is applied, by way of example, to the shaft 4; and a similar device may be applied to one of the shafts of the other pair if necessary or desired. This device is shown in detail in Figure 6 and consists of a worm gear I! carried by the shaft 4' and meshing with a manually rotatable worm 16 having a finger knob l1. The worm I6 is joumaled in a bearing i3 carried by the adjacent roller 3, the worm and worm gear rotating together with the roller and shaft but being relatively adjustable by manually tuming the knob 11. On the table I is mounted a switch 19 for starting and stopping the motor i3 which may also be performed automatically. The rollers are enclosed in suitable shields for guarding them and the depending parts of the strips, as may be seen more clearly in Figure 3.

For the purpose of supporting a writing platform, in a resilient manner, a non-circular boss 2| is formed on the table I, as shown more clearly in Figures '7 and 10. In the bottom of the boss is an adjustable screw 22 with a disk 23 laid thereon, and on the disk is mounted a coil spring 24. The boss receives a plunger 25 of like cross section to avoid relative turning, the lower end of the rod resting on the spring 24. The upper end of the rod carries the previously mentioned writing platform designated by the numeral 26.

Further, the rod 25 carries a contact finger 21 movable in a slot 28 in the boss 21 and riding on a resistance or rheostat 29 preferably supported by the boss. It will presently be shown that variations in writing pressure upon the platform 26 alter a circuit through the rheostat 29 and provide for similar variations in writing pressure in transcribing. It is necessary that the writing platform remain fixed during transcribing, and

accordingly aplock pin 30 may be passed throughthe boss 2| and into a hole 31 in the rod 25, as shown in Figure 7. 1

In preparing the device for producing transcriptions it is necessary that the original inscription be made at the writing platform 26 and simultaneously separated into components delineated on the strips 9 and i0, substantially in the manner disclosed in my co-pending appliestion.

Accordingly, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 10, a pair of non-circular guide rods 36 and 36 are supported by the table I at a right angle to each other. On the guide rods are mounted similarly shaped slidable sleeves 31 and 36 respectively. To the sleeves 31 and 33 are secured guide stems 39 and 49 respectively extending parallel to the rods 36 and respectively, one being secured over the sleeve and the other under the sleeve so that they may intersect one another. At their intersection they are received in a pen carriage 4| slidable thereon. To the bearing is rigidly secured a supporting arm 42 to which is swivelled a clip 43 carrying a writing instrument 44 operative on the writing platform 26.

Any writing instrument may be used, but the clip 431s preferably designed to hold a conventional fountain pen as illustrated.

The outer end of each stem 39 and carries an assembly of a writing instrument and a roller, either of which may selectively be brought into engagement with the strip there-beneath, for a purpose that .will presently be described. The assembly includes a pin 45 fixed axially in the end of the stem and having a bushing 46 rotatably mounted thereon. From the bushing extend two fingers 41 and 48 at an angle to each other,

the former carrying a scribing-instrument 49, and

The inscription to be ultimately reproduced by the machine is written at the platform 26, preferably on a sheet of paper laid on the platform. For this operation the instruments 49 are turned downward into engagement with the strips 9 and I 0, as shown in Figure 10. The support 42 follows the movements of the pen 44 and clip 43 carrying with it the pen carriage 4|. when moving in either direction will drag the stem 39 or 49' lying perpendicular to said direction, and with such stem moves the pen 49 carried thereby, guided along the rod 35 or 36 by the sleeve 31 or 38 thereon. Actually, the pen carriage 4| for the most part moves at an angle to both stems in keeping with the movements of the pen 44. The path of the pen 44 is separated into two components by the pens 49 on the moving strips due to the rectilinear movement of the latter pens along their respective guide rods 35 and 3 6.

The platform 26 is preferably mounted so that its longer edges lie at an angle bisecting the angle of the intersecting strips 9 and I0, thereby encouraging the writing of the inscription also on The latter,

the bisecting line relatively to the strips, which i Mechanism for recording the uniting pressure It has already been pointed out that, as the writing pressure varies, the contact 21 carried by the plunger 25 moves over the rheostat 20 (Fig- Transcribina operation When the inscription has been completed, the

strips 9 and I are delineated along the component lines 66 and 66. This may be done by P any of the means described in theaforementioned co-pending application. In one practical embodiment, the strips are of comparatively heavy celluloid and are cut with a shears along the lines 66 and 66 without removing the strips from the machine. The strips are thus converted into matrices 9' and ill respectively, and the lines 55 and 66 become free edges 66' and 66. respectively.

The bushings 66 are adjusted into the other position, lifting the pens l9 and bringing the reading rollers 66 against the edges 66 and 66' as illustrated in Figure 5. For maintaining the rollers against these edges, there are provided two spring pulleys 64, each having a tape 66 adapted to be hooked on the mounting of the corresponding roller 66, as shown in Figure 5, thereby pulling the rollers against the edges 66' and 66'. The tapes are not used during inscription, as shown in Figure 4, for it is then necessary to have free movement of the pens 69.

The platform 26 carries the sheet on which the original inscription is to be reproduced, and the instrument 44 is laid thereon. The movements effected by the rollers 66 are combined at the pen carriage 4| and transmitted to the instrument M in the form of the original inscription.

It is essential that the matrices have the same relation to each other as did the strips during inscription. Any deviation from the proper relation may be corrected by turning one of the cogged rollers 1 or 6 relatively to the other by means of the knob II as previously described.

Mechanism for reproducing the writing pressure The variations of the pen pressure during inscription are reproduced in the transcription by the mechanism shown in Figures 8 and 10. The strip 9, having been previously out along the line 63, is engaged at this line by a roller 66 carried on a rod 61, the latter being slidable in a fixed bearing 66. A spring 69 engages the bearing in a disk 10 on the rod to hold the roller resiliently against the line 63. The rod 66 carries a contact finger 1| riding on a rheostat I2. Electrically connected to the contact finger and rheostat is a solenoid 13 (Figure 10) mounted on the support 42. The armature 16 of the solenoid has an insulated upper end'15 forked at 16 to receive an extension ll from the swivelled clip 63. (Figure 3) A washer 16 on the armature and above the solenoid prevents the armature from dropping out of the solenoid.

The amount of current passing through the solenoid I3 varies with the position of the contact fingers 1| determined by the sliding of the rod 61 as the roller 66 follows the pressure line 66. Such variations in current strength in the solenoid alter the position of the armature I4 which in turn determines the pressure of the pen 44 against the writing surface. On de-energization of the solenoid, the tension of the previously stressed pen point 19 holds the extension 11 at the bottom of the fork 16, ii the weight of the extension is not suiiicient for this purpose.

Automatic pen lifting mechanism A solenoid 66 has a vertical armature H to the upper end of which is-pivotally attached an arm 62. One end of the arm rests on the free end of the extension I1, and the other end is pivotally attached to a fixed part 66 of the device. In circuit with the solenoid 60 is a switch 66 having a spring blade 66 normally holding one of the switch contacts 66 spaced from the other, so that the circuit is normally open. The blade 66 lies adiacent to the free end of rod 66, as shown in Figure 8, and is so positioned relatively thereto as to be engaged thereby, and the switch closed, when the roller 61 rides on the normal, unaltered edge of the strip 6.

The edge 69 merges into an unaltered straight edge when the writing pressure is zero, that is, when the pen has been lifted from the paper during inscription. At the corresponding time during transcription, the circuit to the solenoid 66 is closed, drawing the armature 6| downward and pulling the arm 62 against the extension 11, whereby the clip 43 and the pen 46 are raised. This operation occurs not only at the end of the writing, but also between words or separated letters and in the crossing of ts and dotting of 1's. The arm 82 preferably has a swivel mounting on a vertical axis, as through the armature 6| for example, so that the arm may be swung out of the way during inscribing, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

Counting mechanism It may be desirable to keep a numerical record of the number of times a given inscription has been reproduced. Accordingly, the counting mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10 is provided. The counting instrument 6! has an operating lever switch, when shifted, actuates the instrument. Adjacent to the lever is a solenoid 69 having an armature 90 adapted to engage and shift thedever when the solenoid is energized.

The counting mechanism is set in operation by a notch 9| cut in an otherwise unused edge of one of the matrices 9', H), at the end of the component edge thereof. A shaft 92 is journaied in a frame part 93 and carries an arm 94 which in turn carries a roller 95 riding on the aforementioned edge and adapted to enter the notch 9|. A suitably positioned spring 96 pulls the roller against said edge. Adjacent to the shaft 92 is a fixed switch contact 91, and the other switch contact 96 is carried by the shaft 92 and movable therewith. These contacts are respectively connected to the ends of the solenoid 89 by conductors 99, with a source of current I00 interposed.

When the roller 95 enters a notch 9|, the shaft 92 is turned and with it the contact 98 into engagement with contact 91, thereby closing the circuit to the solenoid 89. The armature 90 is moved, whereupon the counting instrument is operated as previously set forth.

Other accessories rollers. The spring fingers are preferably forked at I62 to'straddle the line of perforations H,

thereby maintaining the cogs Ii in constant register with the perforations.

Inasmuch as one of the strips 9 or II rides over the other and is thereby spaced from the table I (Figure 4) it is desirable to fill this space with permanent spacers, at least where the upper strip is being scribed. Accordingly, spacers I are mounted on the table and beneath the upper strip to give it a firm support in the area of the component line inscribed thereon.

It has already been pointed out that the rollers are maintained under tension against the matrix edges 55' and 56' during transcription, by means of the tapes .5 and spring pulleys 64. Occasionally it may be necessary to remove the rollers from the matrix edges, especially when it is necessary to adjust one of the matrices by means of the knob II. The means for accomplishing this function includes a cord 1 tied to the pulley shafts 48 as shown in Figures 2 and 5. On the table I, adjacent to the cord is pivotally mounted a horizontal lever I05. A finger I06 extends downwardly from the lever and is adapted to engage the cord and to pull it outward when the lever is swung. The lever also has a finger I01 standing on its upper surface, to be grasped in moving the lever. When the cord IN is pulled out in the manner described,

the rollers 50 are withdrawn from the matrices against the tension of the tapes 5.

A weighted arm I" is pivotaily attached to the frame I09 of the solenoid 8|] or some other suitable support. It is mounted to be laid upon the arm 02 and, when so positioned, maintains the pen 4| ofl the paper until removed from the arm 82. This is used while changing the paper or in any other case requiring such lifting of the pen.

Modifications The invention has been described with reference to a movable pen and a stationary writing platform. The scope of the invention, however, includes a reversal of these parts wherein the penis stationary and the writing platform movable.

Such a modification is illustrated in Figure. 11, which shows all the essential changes. The pen carriage Ill, corresponding to the'member ll of Figure 10 and operated in the same manner has an arm 2 carrying the writing platform I26 rather than the pen clip. The pen I; on the other hand, is carried by a fixed holder I25. Thus, the paper is moved against the pen, rather than vice versa.

In another use of the invention, two sets of different signature matrices may be placed on the strips 9 andlil in such a manner that each strip has a. component line or a set of hills and valleys along both edges. A reversed arrangement of rollers and arms operating from the second component line of each strip and operating another pen carriage and pen, permit the writing of a second signature simultaneously with the first. The above described strips may be formed by joining together two matrix strips formed in the manner herein described, and forming the gear holds nearer the center of the strip. The separate strips may be fastened together in any desirable manner, as by gluing, staples, etc. I

In another modification of the invention, the component or matrix line of one of the strips may be transferred to the other strip, so that the latter strip carries b th lines. This strip would then be suflicient for reproduction of the signature after a slight rearrangement of one of the 'reading rollers and-the connecting arms to op- 90 degrees, thus including parallelism and all possible angular relations. The arms and other members between the pen carriage and the transscribing pens would be rearranged accordingly. Also, the strips may even be mounted in different planes, with a corresponding rearrangement of the mechanism between the pen carriage and the transcribing pens.

The invention is especially desirable in mat ters of signature authenticity, as in check protection for example, inasmuch as all signatures are exactly alike. The reproduced slgnaures may be matched as to both size and form by superposition on a master specimen, such as a sample retained at the bank on which the checks are drawn. The matching may easily be done before a strong light, whereby any deviation may be detected. Thus, forgery is practically impossible.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, meansfor driving said rollers, a carriage supported for free movement in a plane, a pair of scribing instruments having a sliding mounting relatively to said carriage and mounted respectively between the rollers of each pair and substantially in the plane of said table, means restricting said instruments to linear movement transverse of said drive lines respectively, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table.

2. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a pair of guide rods mounted respectively across said drive lines, stems guided respectively on said rods and intersecting each other, a carriage slidably engaging said rods at their intersection and freely movable in the plane of said rods, scribing instru ments carried respectively by said rods and mounted respectively between the rollers of each pair and substantially in the plane of said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table.

3. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a carriage supported for free movement in a plane, a pair of followers having a sliding mounting relatively to .said carriage and mounted respectively between the rollers of said pairs, means restricting said followers to linear movement transverse of said drive lines respectively, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table. 7

4. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a, table, pairs of Opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a carriage supported for free movement in a plane, a pair of fittings having a sliding mounting relatively to said carriage, a scribing instrument and a follower extending from each fitting, said fittings being adjusted to bring either. the instruments or the followers between the rollers of said pairs and substantially in the plane of said-table, means restricting said fittings to linear movement transverse of said drive lines respectively, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table.

tion comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a pair of guide rods mounted respectively across said drive lines, stems guided respectively on said rods and intersecting each other, a carriage'slidably engaging said rods at their intersection and freely movable in the plane of said rods, scribing instruments carried respectively by said rods and mounted respectively between the rollers of each pair and substantially in the plane of said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table, and tensioning means applied to said followers.

6. A machine for use in reproducing aninscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a pair of guide rods mounted respectively across said drive lines, stems guided respectively on said rods and intersecting each other, a carriage slidably engaging said rods at their intersection and freely movable in the plane of said rods, followers carried respectively by said rods and mounted respectively between the rollers of each pair and substantially in the plane of said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table.

'7. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a pair of guiderods mounted respectively across said drive lines, stems guided respectively on said rods and intersecting each other, a carriage slidably engaging said rods at their intersection and freely movable in the plane of said rods, followers carried respectively by said rods and mounted respectively between the rollers of each pair and substantially in the plane of said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, one being carried by said carriage and the other by said table, and tensioning means applied to said followers.

8. A machine for use in reproducing an inscription comprising a table, pairs of opposed feed rollers carried thereby on intersecting drive lines, means for driving said rollers, a pair of guide rods mounted respectively across said drive lines, stems guided respectively on said rods and intersecting each other, a carriage slidably engaging said rods at their intersection and freely movable in the plane of said rods, fittings carried respectively by said rods, a scribing instrument and a follower extending from each fitting, said fittings being adjustable to bring either the instruments or the followers between the rollers of said pairs and substantially'in the plane of said table, a.

writing platform and a writing instrument, one

being carried by said carriage and the other by to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, means responsive to the pressure variations between said platform and writing instrument to define a variable line on one of said strips, a follower for said line and adapted to reproduce the original pressure variation between said platform and writing instrument.

10. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said stripsQfollowers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, said platform being resiliently mounted and responsive to pressure variations between said writing instrument and platform, means for recording such variations in a variable line on one of said strips, a follower for said last named line and adapted to reproduce the original pressure variation between said platform and writing instrument.

11. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, said platform being \resiliently mounted and responsive to pressure variations between said writing instrument and platform, means on one of said strips denoting separation of the writing instrument from said platform during the original writing, and a mechanism operable by said means for separating the writing instrument from said platform during engagement of said followers with said component lines.

12. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribinginstruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, said platform being resiliently mounted and responsive to pressure variations between said writing instrument and platform, means for recording such variations in a variable line on one of said strips, a follower for said last named line and adapted to reproduce the original pressure variation between said platform and writing instrument, said follower being engageable with the normal edge of said strip to lift said writing instrument from said platform.

13. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across saidtable, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to sepa- 10 rate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, means responsive to the pressure variations between said platform and writing instrument to define a variable line on one of'said strips, a follower for said line, an electrical device for varying the pressure of said writing instrument' and operatively connected to said follower.

14. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to sepagagement of said followers with said component lines.

15. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips across said table, a writing platform and a writ- 5 ing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said-strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments in and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movementof said writing instrument, said platform being resiliently mounted and responsive to pressure variations between said writing instrument and platform, 15 means for recording such variations in a variable line on one of said strips, a follower for said last named line and adapted to reproduce the original pressure variation between said platform and writing instrument, a mechanism for withdraw- 20 ing the writing instrument from said platform and operable by said follower when in engagement with the normal edge of said strip.

16. In a machine for reproducing an inscription, a table, means for driving intersecting strips 25 across said table, a writing platform and a writing instrument, scribing instruments connected to said writing instrument and adapted to separate the movements of said writing instrument into component lines on said strips, followers interchangeable with said scribing instruments and adapted to follow said component lines to reproduce the original movement of said writing instrument, a counting mechanism, means on one of said strips at the end of the component line thereon for actuating said counting mechanism.

GLENN W. WATSON. 

